Fathom Announces Mal Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Mineralization - Further Evidence of “Blue Sky” Potential at Company’S Gochager Lake Property
FATHOM ANNOUNCES MAL LAKE NICKEL-COPPER-COBALT MINERALIZATION - FURTHER EVIDENCE OF
“BLUE SKY” POTENTIAL AT COMPANY’S GOCHAGER LAKE PROPERTY
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FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS
Calgary, Alberta – July 11, 2024 – Fathom Nickel Inc. (the “Company” or “Fathom”) (CSE:FNI) (FSE: 6Q5),
(OTCQB: FNICF) is pleased to announce results of the recently completed core review of the historic Mal
Lake Nickel occurrence. Historic Mal Lake drill core is available through the Saskatchewan Ministry of
Energy and Resources ’ Precambrian Geological Laboratory in La Ronge, SK . The Mal Lake nickel
occurrence falls within the Company’s 22,000+ ha Gochager Lake Property.
Highlights of the exercise and interpretation of the results are as follows:
• pXRF*** detected cobalt values up to 2,984 ppm (0.29% Co) associated within nickel-copper
mineralization in historic drillhole JC-Mal-6 drilled in 1967.
o Note that cobalt was not assayed for at the time of the 1967 drilling.
o There has been no drilling and no exploration at the Mal Lake Nickel occurrence
[Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (“SMD”) I#0836] since 1967.
• pXRF detected several significant zones of nickel (>10,000ppm)-copper-cobalt (>1,000ppm)
mineralization in historic Mal Lake drill core that was not previously split for assay.
• Ni/S, Ni/Cu and Ni/Co ratio plots using the Mal Lake pXRF data fall on and within the same
array(s) as Gochager Lake assay data, suggesting:
o Mal Lake has similar nickel tenor.
o Mal Lake has similar nickel to copper ratio.
o Very similar Ni/Co ratio of Mal Lake and similar host rock to Gochager Lake is suggestive
of two very similar mineralized, mafic intrusions (gabbro) sharing a similar magma type
and could very well be part of one original magma conduit system.
• Note: Mal Lake is located ~10km southeast of the Gochager Lake deposit (Figure 2).
Ian Fraser, CEO and VP Exploration stated, “ Our recent review of available Mal Lake drill core is another
example of Fathom ’s diligent exploration process. We knew there was nickel 10km southeast of the
Gochager La ke deposit, but was it similar to , and of the same origin as the Gochager Lake nickel
mineralization? We now have data suggesting the answer is Yes. This is a very significant development for
several reasons. Firstly, there is tremendous exploration potential at Mal Lake . Mal Lake is a drill
ready/BHEM target that we intend to drill during the next winter program. Secondly, how many more
Gochager Lake, Mal Lake-like mineralized, mafic intrusions (gabbro) exist within the Gochager L ake
property? Gochager and Mal Lake are 10km apart from one another but appear to have a common
magmatic source. Nickel deposits tend to occur as multiple intrusions along structures. We think, based
on our interpretation of the 2008 VTEM data set (MAG), that Gochager is one of several intrusions
occurring along a controlling structure/conduit. We now have early indications that Mal Lake is emanating
from the same magmatic source. This Mal Lake exercise has really opened our eyes to the regional blue-
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sky potential of this vastly under explored property. As we continue to expand the historic Gochager Lake
deposit, we also look forward to exploring for and finding additional Gochager Lake/Mal Lake -like
mineralized, gabbroic intrusives.”
Table 1 illustrates assay values from two separate 1967 drill programs at Mal Lake. These drill results were
obtained from the Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database (“SMAD”). For comparative purposes, and
to illustrate the Mal Lake and Gochager Lake similar Ni/Cu ratio, four assay intervals from Fathom 2023
and 2024 drilling are included in Table 1. Refer to the QA/QC statement that suggests caution needs to be
taken with the pXRF Co values and all pXRF values obtained from the 1967 drill core. The Mal Lake
occurrence (SMID#0836) is described as a quartz diorite to gabbro plug intruding the surrounding
metasedimentary rocks. Surface e lectromagnetic surveys detected c onductivity in the area which led to
1967 diamond drilling that encountered quartz diorite to gabbro hosted sulphide bands consisting of
pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite mineralization . Figure 3 is a historic geolog y, drillhole plan map of the Mal
Lake area.
Table 1 – Historic (1967) Mal Lake Assays With 2024 pXRF Cobalt Values
Hole_Id From (m)* To (m) Length (m)** Wt% Ni Wt% Cu Co pXRF (ppm)***
JCM-3 36.94 44.84 7.90 1.12 0.24 134 - 907
Including 40.84 44.84 4.00 1.48 0.20 751
JCM-6 24.99 29.11 4.12 0.69 0.16 79 - 2984
JCM-6 45.75 52.61 6.86 0.91 0.27 268 - 691
Including 50.29 52.61 2.32 1.42 0.15 NS
JCM-8 29.11 43.19 14.08 0.78 0.21 59 - 1480
Including 38.98 43.19 4.21 1.58 0.30 524 - 1480
M-2 51.21 55.02 3.81 1.17 0.36 165 - 1101
Including 51.21 54.25 3.04 1.41 0.35 165 - 1101
M-4 12.80 17.83 5.03 0.36 - 130 - 758
GL23003 124.45 182.65 18.10 1.49 0.38 0.11
GL23009 366.77 370.02 3.25 1.35 0.36 0.12
GL24012 417.91 422.23 4.23 1.15 0.16 0.09
GL24016 181.69 189.44 7.75 1.36 0.39 0.11
* Original assay intervals are in feet. Fathom has converted feet to meters
** Length is drillhole thickness and not true thickness. Insufficient data to determine true thickness
*** Co (ppm) is the range of Co spot values collected through the sample interval. Refer to QA/QC statement
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Figure 1 – Mal Lake Drillhole JCM-8 @ 138 feet (42.06m) split core, mineralized quartz diorite; pXRF scan
@ 138.75 feet (42.29m): 21,146ppm Ni, 1,322ppm Cu, 1,480ppm Co; Note historic assay interval 38.98-
43.19m in Table 1
A two-person Fathom crew reviewed, scanned available drill core with pXRF, Mag Susceptibility meter,
took conductivity measurements , and photographed the drill core. Most of the Mal Lake drill core has
been reduced to representative samples of a drillhole and is not complete/continuous original drill core
(the entire drillhole) record. Fathom was reluctant to take samples for individual assays due to the now
limited drillhole record. Nonetheless, a comprehensive database was collected and has provided
significant data towards our understanding of the geology and metallogenesis of the Mal Lake occurrence
and its relationship to the Gochager Lake deposit.
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Figure 2 – Gochager Lake Property Map
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Figure 3 – Mal Lake Historic Geology Drillhole Plan Map
***Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Disclosure Statement
As part of its ongoing exploration activities, Fathom is utilizing a portable Vanta ™ XRF Analyzer (“pXRF”)
to provide real-time lithogeochemical multi-element data on drill cores from current drillholes and on all
available historical drill cores drilled by previous operators of the Albert Lake and Gochager L ake
properties. The Vanta™ XRF Analyzer is a hand -held device that, during normal operation and Company
protocol, is positioned on drill core every 0.5 meter through the length of a drillhole. The tool is held in
position for a total 120 seconds - beam 1 (30 seconds), beam 2 (60 seconds) and beam 3 (30 seconds) to
allow for an effective reading of elements occurring at that specific point, and at that specific surface of
the drill core. All elements detected at that specific point ; nickel, copper and cobalt plus key pathfi nder
elements, chrome and magnesium, are recorded. The reader is cautioned that pXRF data should be
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treated only as an indication of elements, as the accuracy of the beam position on a particular element is
variable. All pXRF data is point data and the data collected at that point may not be representative of all
the pXRF detectable elements occurring over an extended interval. pXRF nickel, copper and cobalt values
from historic Mal Lake drill cores were derived from Mal Lake drill cores available to the public through
the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources Precambrian Geological Laboratory in La Ronge, SK.
As with drill core sampling a rigid QA/QC process is in place for the collection and analysing of pXRF data.
Internal QA/QC protocols were also implemented to ensure that real -time pXRF geochemical data
collected on site was of high quality and reliable. Spot scans of SiO2 blank and certified reference material
were conducted every 25 scans, alternating the blank and standards every 50 th scan. pXRF data collected
on QA/QC material was periodically plotted in graphical form to check for data entry errors and
instrument drift.
Qualified Person and Data Verification
Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such
term is defined by National Instrument 43 -101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and
has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the
Company.
About Fathom Nickel Inc.
Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the
rapidly growing global electric vehicle market and to secure the supply of North American Critical
Minerals.
The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans
Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan : 1) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host
to the historic and past producing Rottenstone Mine 1 (produced 28,724 tons @3.3% Ni, 1.8% Cu , 9.63
g/t 3E (Pd-Pt+Au) 1965-1969), and 2) the 22,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that is host to a
historic, NI43 -101 non -compliant op en pit resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0. 295% Ni and 0.08 1%
Cu2, and 3) the 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic
Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit.
1 - The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0958) reports the production grades noted above from a small open pit.
Fathom cannot confirm the production numbers nor a historic resource estimate that may have been in place ahead of
production. The historic pit exists, and the Company trusts the production, as noted in SMDI #0958, to be accurate. The
Company has performed test assaying of Rottenstone-type mineralization and results are consistent with production grades.
2 - The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0880) reports drill indicated reserves at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit
of 4,262,400 tons grading 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu mineable by open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the resource estimate, nor
the parameters and methods used to prepare the reserve estimate. The estimate is not considered NI43-101 compliant and
further work is required to verify this historical drill indicated reserve.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Ian Fraser, CEO & Vice President Exploration
1-403-650-9760
Email: [email protected]
or
Matthew Mickleborough, Investor Relations
1-306-531-3644
Email: [email protected]
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Forward Looking Statements:
This news release contains "forward- looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and
interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward -looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as
"plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or
statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding payment
of terms under the Option Agreement, permitting for the Property, receipt of an exploration permit, timing of the exploration
program on the Property and the Company achieving the earn-in thresholds under the Option Agreement . Forward-looking
statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of
amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives,
assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward -looking statements."
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ
from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate
financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulat ory
risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of s tock exchange listings; risks related to
environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in e xploration or development activities or the completion of
feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology,
grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related t o the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the
potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that futu re
exploration, development or mining results will not be consi stent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity
price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed
elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-
looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them
to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ
materially from the Company's expectations or projections.